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Phil Steele explains putting Florida on most improved list for 2023

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•07/08/23•

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(Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It was a wild first season for the Florida Gators under Billy Napier. But college football expert Phil Steele put the Gators on his Most Improved List for the 2023 season.

It was a long journey to get to Napier. After former head coach Dan Mullen flamed out in 2021 with a bad ending to the season, Napier was brought in and immediately got it going. However, the Gators sputtered after an early season slate.

Steele broke down the last couple of years in his annual season preview magazine. 

“In 2021, Florida only had ten starters back which was the fewest in the SEC (lost 8 NFL DC’s),” Steele wrote. “They had just three SEC home games and drew Alabama and LSU out of the West! I did not have the Gators ranked in my Top 25 and Gator fans beat me up pretty good all summer for that. UF opened 3-1 and outgained Alabama 440-331 but then UF was upset by Kentucky and LSU and finished just 6-7 (0-5 away from home SEC) and Dan Mullen was fired.”

When Napier took over, it was a nice start with a new roster. Florida took down Utah and it looked like the Gators could do some serious damage right away.

“Billy Napier had 13 returning starters and did draw a pair of top 10 teams outside the division but they made my Most Improved List,” Steele wrote. “The Gators upset Utah in the opener but were 6-4 when they lost to Vanderbilt and Florida State and then lost the bowl to Oregon State 30-3 for another 6-7 finish. They were 3-5 in SEC play but +19.3 YPG. This year they have just 11 starters and are No. 109 on my Experience Chart. Like 2021, they have just three SEC home games and draw LSU out of the West.”

Despite a disappointing ending, Florida looks to rebound in Year 2 under Napier. With recruiting wins this offseason, things might be looking up for the program.

“They could be a dog in seven games this year but when I talked to coach Napier he was very pleased they were under the radar and was confident they would surprise,” Steele wrote. “They make the Most Improved List again in his second year.”

Florida opens the season again with Utah on August 31, this time on the road taking on the Utes in enemy territory.